Cone beam computed tomography for evaluation of mandibular lingual canal in an Egyptian subpopulation

Abstract

Abstract Background A sample of three hundred cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans was evaluated. Median lingual canals (MLC) were identified and classified according to their anatomical location. Evaluation of the canal diameter, length, thickness of the buccal cortical plate, and the remaining bone above and below the canal was performed. The results were assessed twice with 2 weeks interval and statistically analyzed. The study was designed to evaluate MLC in an Egyptian subpopulation by the use of CBCT. Results Most of the scans presented with one MLC, with a maximum number of four canals, the mean diameter was 1.68± 1.27 mm, with a statistically significant difference in the length from the canal opening to the alveolar crest between females and males. Conclusions As the study detected a high prevalence of the MLC with a vast majority of the canals supra-spinosum, a vigilant examination is required using CBCT to avoid subsequent bleeding and airway obstruction.